Refrigerating device



(No Model.)

W. PLAGG.

REPRIGERATING DEVICE.

No. 246,946. Patented Sept. 13,1881.

INVENTOR WITNESSES: 2 Mi/[m 3y his .dttorneys, I.

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N. PETERS. Pholo-hlhognphor. Washinginn, D. C.

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IVILLIAM FLAGG, OF NEW BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY.

REFRIGERATI'NG DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 246,946, dated September 13, 1881,

Application filed April 27, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM FLAGG, a citizen of the United 'States, residing at New Brunswick, Middlesex county, New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Refrigerating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toadevice for cooling and keeping cool butter and other edibles which it is desirable to preserve at a low temperature when served at meals. This is the principal object of the invention; but its application may be extended to other purposes.

The ordinary mode employed for keeping down the temperature of butter when served at meals is to place upon it a lump of ice. This melts, and the resulting water produces very disagreeable and untidy effects, as is well known. Besides, it is very inconvenient, as the ice is liable to slip off, and it is believed that the ice and water destroy the delicate flavor of the butter. In some cases, where a covered receptacle is employed, the ice is placed in the receptacle, and not directly upon the butter; but the annoyance arising from the water that collects still exists, and the mode is not economical.

My invention consists in the employment of a refrigerating-block of stone, artificial stone, metal, or other substance which will, when cold, readily abstract heat from substances adjacent. This block is made to set into areceptacle, and the plate or dish containing the butter sets directly upon the block, and, by preference, is connected therewith. The receptacle may have a cover, if desired. Several of these blocks are kept in the ice-chest, and when the butter is to be served one of these blockswhich has then a very low temperature-is set in the receptacle, the butter placed thereon, and the cover of the receptacle placed over all. The block keeps down the temperature of the butter, and it long exposed, or the cover be long removed, as in the case of butter served in hotels or restaurants, the block may be changed from time to time.

For family use, where the exposure is limited, or the butter is kept closely covered, no change of blocks will be required.

In carrying out my invention I prefer to connect the butter-plate with the refrigerating block when the device is intended for family use, and l have so shown it in the drawings, wherein- Figure l is a vertical mid-section taken through the block, plate, and inclosing receptacle. .Fig. 2 is a plan or bottom view of the refrigerating-block.

Let A represent an ordinary receptacle, and B a cover for the same.

0 is the refrigerating-block, molded from concrete or artificial stone, to which is secured the butter-plate D.

The preferred mode of securing the block and plate together is to turn down a flange, a, on the plate in making the same, which flange is drawn in or contracted to conform to the taper of the block. The plate thus provided is turned bottom up in the mold and the concrete poured in and allowed to set. After the block has become firm and solid the plate will be found firmly attached thereto.

The block 0 is, by preference, provided with ribs or projections b b, which touch the sides of the receptacle A, and suitable knobs or projections, c c, on its bottom, which rest upon the bottom of the receptacle A. By means ofthese an air-space is left between the wall of the receptacle and the block, whereby its sides and bottom are enveloped in a poor conductor of heat-namely, confined air.

Where the device is to be employed for restaurant-tables and no cover is employed, I prefer to leave the butter-plate detached, so that the blocks may be changed from time to time without the necessity of changing the plate. In this case the plate may be made to extend over and cover the aperture around the block and between it and the receptacle, so as to more closely confine the envelope of air. Where the cover is employed I prefer to leave this open, so as to let the air connect with that under the cover.

If the block were made of glass or pottery, it might be made in one piece with the butterplate or I might make a cavity in the top of the block to receive a bit of ice, and close this cavity by setting the butter-plate over it.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A refrigerating device consisting of a block of artificial stone or other ready con ductor of heat, adapted to receive the butter or other substance to be refrigerated, and a suitable inclosin g receptacle for the block, all combined and arranged to operate substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, to form a refrigerating device, of a refrigerating-block of some material that will readily conduct heat or obstruct it from adjacent objects, said block having a plate fixed to its top in the process of making the block, and an inclosin g receptacle to receive said block, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the block 0, provided with projections on its bottom and sides, the receptacle A, into which the block fits, and the plate adapted to fit the top of the block, all substantially as set forth.

WILLIAM FLAGG.

Witnesses HENRY GoNNEr'r, ARTHUR O. FRASER. 

